The public debate over the abolition of the death penalty...

The public debate over the abolition of the death penalty was rekindled after a total of 155 lawmakers signed a bill to ban capital punishment in October.
Those who oppose capital punishment argue that it is hypocritical for nations to execute humans while proclaiming respect for human life and human rights. Moreover, there is no evidence to prove that executions reduce crime rates, and prisoners often face unfair trials and are not given the chance for rehabilitation, they argue.
"All life is sacred, including the lives of criminals who have committed heinous crimes," said Father Lee Chang-yong at the Catholic Conference of Korea, a representative body for the nation's Roman Catholic churches.
Lee is also the head director of the nationwide coalition of major religious groups, the "Panreligious Anti-Death Penalty Campaign," established in April 2000.
As an alternative to what they call brutal executions, opponents of capital punishment propose life imprisonment without parole in cases where rehabilitation is unsuccessful.
"Is the death penalty necessary? I don't think execution is the best way to punish criminals for their violent crimes," said 24-year-old Ohm Seung-chang. "Life imprisonment without parole is bad enough."
And if a convict shows enough improvement to be released, many death penalty opponents support parole. According to the priest, the education programs in prisons have many shortcomings and need improvement. "What we need are more specialized lessons on morality and ethics, and programs to build their social skills and develop character," Lee said.
Proponents of the death penalty, on the other hand, argue that it is fair retribution for criminals who have deprived others of life. They also insist that execution is an effective means of reducing crime, claiming it heightens respect for the law.
"Anyone who has committed a heinous crime cannot be trusted to be let loose in society, and reintegration, let alone rehabilitation, is impossible," said an official at the Ministry of Justice on condition of anonymity. "The death penalty is a necessary social evil."
Supporters of capital punishment believe it safeguards the public and prevents serious crimes, according to the official.
"Anyone who ends the life of another human being doesn't deserve to live," said a 28-year-old woman, who requested anonymity. "They would be a threat to society if they were given the chance to be let out."
According to Lee Jae-myung, manager of People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a prominent civic group that opposes capital punishment, the death penalty is not an effective deterrent.
"Some countries without the death penalty saw a decrease in murder cases," he said. "The global trend in abolishing the execution system also confirms that a vicious penal system doesn't necessarily correlate to fewer vicious crimes," Lee said. He pointed out that over the past 10 years, a growing number of countries have either abolished capital punishment or suspended executions.
Some civic groups, such as Amnesty International Korea, criticize South Korea not only for retaining the death penalty, but also for being "secretive and arbitrary" in its manner of carrying out executions. Prisoners live in constant fear, not knowing when their lives will end.
"This system isn't fair, not only to death-row inmates, but also their families," Cardinal Kim said. Executions in South Korea entail death by hanging.
As of August, 2001, 51 death-row inmates were still waiting to die. Under Korean law, executions can be carried out only with the president's authorization. "With 155 lawmakers supporting the bill to overturn the death penalty, it's a hopeful sign that South Korea may join the global trend of abolishing the execution system," Lee Jae-myung said.